Interconnectable toy elements having hook members



Dec. 3, 1968 1.. MARKS 3,414,265

INTERCONNECTABLE TOY ELEMENTS HAVING HOOK MEMBERS Filed Feb. 25, 1965 United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Briefly stated, the invention comprises the provision of a plurality of similar devices, each including a body portion, from which extend the first and second arms or hooks which are oppositely disposed, and being selectively interconnectable with similar devices to form a chain. The mass center of each device is disposed on one side of a plane passing through the contact portions of the first and second interconnected arms or hooks, so that it is possible to hold a first of such devices and pick up in series a number of similar devices from a table or other horizontal surface.

This invention relates generally to the field of toys, and more particularly to an improved amusement device adapted to test the skill of the user.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved molded unit, preferably made of synthetic resinous materials, which may be selectively engaged with other similar units in serial concatenation by the user employing only manipulation of the first of said units held at the end of the progressively formed chain.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved amusement device in which the cost of fabrication may be of a relatively low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved amusement device which, with proper manipulation, may be readily manipulated by a user, and with improper manipulation, based on a lack of knowledge of the theory of operation of the device, it is practically impossible to form interconnected linkages.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that the proper operation of the device is not readily apparent upon visual examination of the same, thus adding to the play value of the disclosed embodiment.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view thereof, as seen from the right-hand portion of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a view in elevation showing the interconnection of a series of devices or units comprising the invention.

FIGURE 3A is a fragmentary view in elevation showing the interconnection of a third unit by the process of picking the same up from a table with a free hanging unit.

FIGURE 4 is a similar view showing a subsequent stage of interconnection just before the third unit is lifted from the table.

FIGURE 5 is a view in elevation corresponding to 3,414,265 Patented Dec. 3, 1968 FIGURE 3A, but showing the side opposite that seen in FIGURE 3A.

FIGURE 6 is a similar view showing the impossibility of engaging a unit when the same is suspended in a particular manner.

In accordance with the invention, reference character 10 denotes one of a plurality of similar devices which may take any desired ornamental form, as, for example, the disclosed form including a representation of a monkey. In such form, the devices may include a body portion 11, first and second legs 12 and 13, a head 14, and first and second arms or hooks 15 and 16 which are oppositely and symmetrically disposed. As best seen in FIG- URE 1, the arms include a generally rectilinear portion 17, a curved portion 18, and a simulated hand portion 19. The hand portion 19 is of considerably greater width than the other portions and is perpendicular to the general plane of the device 10, and includes an inner surface 20 and an outer surface 21 interconnected by a peripheral edge 22. Referring to FIGURE 3A, it will be observed that when the device is lying upon a planar surface 23, there is formed an opening 24 for the engagement of any arm or hook 15-16 with a similar arm or book on an adjacent device 10.

At the extremities of the legs 12 and 13 are feet 25 and 26, each having a peripheral edge 2728, respectively, which, upon contacting the planar surface 23, maintain the device 10 in a condition generally parallel thereto, thereby preventing the opening 24 from accidentally becoming closed.

Upon the placing of plurality of devices 10 upon the surface 23, in random fashion, a game of skill may be played by manually grasping one of such devices, and by interconnecting the first and second arms or hooks 15 and 16, respectively, with other such devices 10, a series of devices are progressively interconnected. The engagement of a second such device 10, as shown in FIGURE 3, is a relatively simple matter, but the engagement of each succeeding device 10 requires additional dexterity. As seen in FIGURES 3A and 5, a second arm or book 16 is engaged with a corresponding hook on a succeeding device 10 by draping the same in such manner that the peripheral edge 22 slips into the opening 24. Following this, a directly upward-lifting movement, as seen in FIG- URE 4, of the end device or unit 10 will cause the linked figures to be lifted in the formation of a linked chain.

From a consideration of FIGURE 3 it will be apparent that when the formed chain is held in vertical position, contact will normally occur at the joining between the hand portions 19 with the curved portions 18, and these points of contact will, of course, lie in a vertical plane, as seen in FIGURE 3. However, owing to the presence of greater mass on one side of this plane than the other, the mass center 29 of a unit so held will lie leftwardly as seen in FIGURE 3 at a point lying within the body portion 11. Thus, although on initial examination it would .appear to engage either of the arms 15 and 16 indiscriminately, owing to the spacing of the mass center 29 from the above-mentioned plane, it is only possible to continually form a chain by engaging the upwardly extending arm 15 with a downwardly extending arm 16 of the unit lying upon the planar surface 23. Should the reverse be attempted, a result resembling that seen in FIGURE 6 is obtained, wherein it is impossible to align the peripheral edge 22 in such manner as to enter the opening 24 without disengaging the oppositely disposed hook from its present interconnection. The presence of the mass center 29 spaced from the plane interconnecting the normal points of contact causes a moment arm, which will permit continued engagement as the lower arm makes a new engagement (see FIGURES 3A and 4). A unit suspended by engagement with its upwardly disposed hook will thus freely hang in a position wherein the downwardly disposed hook is adapted to engage a successive member as shown in FIGURE 3A. A unit suspended by engagement with its downwardly disposed hook will freely hang in a position wherein the upwardly disposed hook is unable to engage a successive member. Once this principle is understood, it is possible to link as many devices 10 as desired without difiiculty, employing only manipulative skill possessed by the ordinary user.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. In an amusement device, having a body portion lying in a first plane; first and second interconnected oppositely disposed hook members connected to said body, each having inner and outer surfaces at the extremities thereof of actual width as measured perpendicular to said first plane greater at the said extremities thereof than at median points thereof; said extremities of said hook members lying in a second common plane perpendicular to said first plane, said device having a mass center lying outwardly of said second common plane whereby upon the holding of one such device, it is possible to pick up a series of similar devices in enchained relation from a horizontal surface supporting the same by engaging the second hook member of each preceding device with the first hook member of a subsequently engaged device, and the interconnection of like hook members of two adjoining devices preventing further engagement of a third device therebelow.

2. In an amusement device, a plurality of selectively mutually engageable bodies each lying in a first plane, each of said bodies having first and second hook members permanently connected to said body, each of said hook members having inner and outer surfaces at the extremities thereof of actual width greater than at median points thereof as measured perepndicular to said first plane, said extremities of said hook members lying in a second plane perpendicular to said first plane, said units each having a mass center lying outwardly of said second plane, said units being selectively interconnectable at said hook members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D.l47,388 8/ 1947 Wahrer.

2,959,888 11/1960 Noble 46-22 X 2,712,444 7/1955 Reed 273-1 LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

S. NATTER, Assistant Examiner. 

